Electrical problem?? -- Need advice...

[dirty trucker]

Well here's some background

Last year I squeezed a built 454 BBC into the frame rails, everything has been running great.. Last night I dropped in some .488 gears with a Auburn Pro series posi.

Took the wife and kids out tonight to cruise around a bit. My daughters kept wanting to squeal out, sooo anyways, I set at the stop sign and lite the back tires up for a few seconds, just for a little smoke to start building, and we were gone.

Here's where I'm lost.. Just as the BBC rapped out and slammed 2nd gear, engine shut down.. As we coasted to the shoulder, I was freaking out a little. Anyway after some investigation, I lost dome lights, parking lights, and power to the coil. Ended up being the 20 amp fuse for the parking lights, and a 10 amp fuse for the radio...

My question is... Was this some freak thing that might never happen again, or do I need to tear into wiring somewhere to look for a short??? Any advice or past experience would be great.

Thanks
Joe

[haus]

what about a voltage regulator? if the alternator is cranking too much juice, and the electricity flows unchecked, couldn't that have popped some fuses?

[Yukon Jack]

You might want to put a post over in the electrical subforum - lots of helpful members over there that know alot about electrical problems. Electrical problems are always so frustrating for me!

About the only advice I can offer is to check your grounds to make sure one of them didn't come loose when you were getting on it.

[dirty trucker]

Originally Posted by haus

what about a voltage regulator? if the alternator is cranking too much juice, and the electricity flows unchecked, couldn't that have popped some fuses?

Well, when I swapped engines, I converted over to a new alternator with an internal regulator. Unless, the alternator itself put out to much voltage and blew the fuses?? I don't know.. I'll probably keep driving it and see what happens.

[DANTES JIMMY]

i would check 2 things
i had a t-bucket and at higher rpms th voltage regulater would put out 16 volts and damn near burnt the car up but at lower rpms the reg was all good i think it had to do with the heat of the motor (i had it mounted down real low and out of the fan flow)
and i would check any wires that would be prone to movement during a hard shift like say around frame driver side rail or starter area
could be just a weak fuse

[Yukon Jack]

I'd also suggest posting some pics of this K5, not to help figure out the problem, but because we love pics around here!

[mr48chev]

I would look for one of the following:

Loose connection in the wiring.
Bad ground for items on that circuit.

Possibly a screw or fastener that got screwed into a wire behind a panel. Screw from something being added to truck and punching wire loom that runs behind the panel that said item is fastened to.

An alternator should charge about 14.2 volts at full charge. Overcharging shouldn't blow fuses but will overcharge and evaporate the electrolyte in the battery and will blow headlight bulbs and possibly other light bulbs.

Excessive load or a short blows fuses. In your case I would suspect that there are some bare wires in close proximity that shorted out against each other when you nailed it.

[Chevyman63]

If you need a hand, let me know. Doesn't sound like more than a 6 or 8 beer fix.

[dirty trucker]

Thanks for all the help fella's.. I found the damaged wire.

The flat-four wire that comes out of the firewall and back to the rear lights, had been pinched between the firewall and the valve cover. Must be when the motor hit 2nd gear, it twisted enough to bare a wire??

Thanks again!!

[Yukon Jack]

Glad you got it figured out - now, where's the pics!

[70rs/ss]

Yeah, yeah picts please!!

[Long Roof]

The pics, oh sweet jesus, we need some pics

[jaros44sr]

Might be time to strap that BB to the frame rails, good detective work! Oh yeah, where's the pics.LOL

[dirty trucker]

Holy cow!! Hey, I was wondering if you guys would like to see some pics??

Anyway, I'm getting packed-up to head north for the weekend, but I'll be sure to get some pics on here next week!!

Have a good weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'M OUT....

[Yukon Jack]

Now that you mention it, pics would be good

[jaros44sr]

Originally Posted by dirty trucker

Holy cow!! Hey, I was wondering if you guys would like to see some pics??

Anyway, I'm getting packed-up to head north for the weekend, but I'll be sure to get some pics on here next week!!

Have a good weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'M OUT....

What's more important, pic's or your weekend away. You've made your choice

[Longhorn Man]

pics...that's a good idea!

[dirty trucker]

Well here's a few pics I promised..

A couple garage pics







And a couple BBC pics

[dirty trucker]

A couple interior pics...






This is my cousin's truck with a built BBC, doing a little smoke after a cookout on Sunday...

[Chevyman63]

Sweet ride dude...if you are ever in the area, stop by.

[70rs/ss]

I love green vehicles!! I wasn't sure when I bought my 70 Camaro years ago, but now it is a sickness for me!! The other sickness is BBC, I love the "BIG IRON" at least that's what we called them in PA! My 72 is a 454/4-speed, but not nearly as purdy as your's, very nice!

[Long Roof]

That is one fat ride you have. If you ever get down by Cedar Point in Oh maybe we'll see each other. I'll be the guy driving the Red, lifted 72 Jimmy with a wife and three kids in tow. Oh, I'll also have a great big grin on my face.

I'm sure you'll be grinning too.